Out and About With One of DC’s Bachelorettes

The season premiere of 'The Bachelor' features three local ladies. We caught up with one of them Monday night in Arlington.

The Real World: DC castmembers aren’t the only Washingtonians to catch the reality-TV bug. Last night’s season premiere of ABC’s The Bachelor introduced us to three Washington bachelorettes vying for the affection of hunky pilot Jake.

DC Air National Guard captain Elizabeth got the heave-ho in the first episode, but Bethesda account manager Ashleigh, 25, and Fairfax teacher Ashley, 30, made the cut. Ashley—a PhD student at Old Dominion University, former Miss Virginia contestant, and 2006 Toyota and WJLA Channel 7 Working Woman of the Year—made an impression on the bachelor and television viewers during last night’s episode when she cheerfully interrupted Jake and another bachelorette while wearing a sexy flight-attendant uniform.

Though the move sparked catty commentary from the other women (“I think we should tell her her flight’s getting evacuated”), commentary on ABC’s Web site was generally positive. Jake offered good reviews as well, calling Ashley “the most positive person I have ever met.”

Friends and family tuned in at Bailey’s Pub in Arlington for a premiere viewing party hosted by Ashley on Monday. “We’ve been looking at the Web site at people’s comments to see what people say about her,” says roommate Lindsay Zivney. “We’re just really excited to see her up there.”